The Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol may have...

The Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol may have had the smallest swim team in the International Police Olympics in Sydney, Australia, last month, but they had the biggest heart.

The 4-man team, which included John Pitzer, Keven McCamy, Randy Lyman and Conrad Kuable, competed against more than 300 swimmers from around the globe and came back loaded down with 18 medals: nine gold, three silver and six bronze.

“It was a trip of a lifetime,” said Lyman, 35, who won four gold medals. “I’ll never forget it.”

Apart from winning several individual events, the team won the gold medal in the 4 x 50-meter freestyle relay and a bronze in the 4 x 50-meter medley relay.

“We put a lot of effort into it,” said Pitzer, 36, who won two gold, a silver and two bronze medals. “They know Redondo Beach now.”

Lyman, 35, who won three individual gold medals, said he dedicated his accomplishments to the business owners and harbor residents who helped sponsor the trip. “I just wanted to do very, very well for those people,” said Lyman. The 7-man harbor patrol is the offshore police force for the King Harbor and marina area, doubling as lifeguards and paramedics when needed.

The team went to Australia to test their aquatic skills against the best police competition in the world. But team members admitted that they did have some fun while they were down under.

“The Australians were great hosts,” said Pitzer.

“And big beer drinkers,” added Lyman.

The competition takes place in a different country every two years, and officers raised part of the travel expenses.

The stiffest competition came from the Australian and the New Zealand teams, the officers said. But there was some competition among the team members. Pitzer, who set a new record for the 50-meter freestyle during the preliminary competition, was edged out by Lyman in the finals.

Harbor Master Wayne Sankey said the skill the officers showed in competition demonstrates their ability to protect the harbor.

“When you are in trouble out there and your boat is going down, you wouldn’t want anybody else,” he said. “These guys can do the job.”

Dozens of sheriff’s deputies and police officers from around the South Bay also competed in the international competition. In all, officers from the South Bay brought back 40 medals but no department brought back as many medals the Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol.